Annie O'Harran is the wrong side of thirty. A harassed single mother (of almost teen-aged Flora), she's escaped her faithless first husband with a few shreds of dignity intact, and against all expectations- met her hero: David Palmer is a kind and gentle doctor with a private practice in Belgravia, and Annie has a blissful summer ahead to plan their wedding. But first Annie must escape the constant interruptions of her tiny Fulham house, and surround herself with calm in order to meet the horrible deadline set by the only publisher ever to have expressed interest in her writing. Giving mad Aunt-to-be Gertrude a cameo role in her novel is surely a small price to pay for the loan of a fabulous writer's retreat on a Cornish cliff with its own private beach? No sooner has she arrived in Cornwall, however, than the doorbell starts ringing. Everyone, it seems, from her competitive sister Clare and her noisy brood, to her louche ex-husband Adam and his nubile young girlfriend, has had the same idea for their summer holidays. And then there's the houseguest who doesn't even bother to knock...Just as long as none of them affects her big day at the end of the summer...
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Somewhat barmy Londoner Anni O'Harran—urged by her physician fiancé, David Palmer, to vacation at his elderly aunt's empty Cornwall home—sets off on a summer holiday with her 12-year-old daughter, Flora, and visions of finishing her perpetually unfinished novel. Sister Clare and brood are just up the road in their own rental, but plans immediately go awry when Yank Matt Malone arrives. He's rented the house from the dotty aunt, but he amiably agrees to share it with Annie and her daughter. Matt is cute, and has his own writing project on the table. The inevitable Matt and Annie romance is telegraphed early on, but Alliott's insights into relationships urge one forward, as she covers everything from the give-and-take of sisterly bonds to the nastiness of custody battles. Alliott's portrayal of adolescents is spot on, and the rich inner lives of the adults, while often monologued, give this conventional romance depth. As the day of the nuptials approaches, it is unclear who, precisely, will be at the altar. (On sale Sept. 27)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
About the Author
Catherine Alliott worked in London as a copywriter in advertising. She now lives in Hertfordshire with her husband, a barrister, and their three children.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Started out with a great premise, then just fizzled,
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This review is from: The Wedding Day: A Novel (Paperback)
Annie is a wanna-be novelist and single mum raising a pre-teen daughter and getting ready to marry the doctor that turned her heart around after she and her philandering spouse called it quits. A summer in the seaside community of Cornwall is just what the doctored ordered for R&R and a chance to complete her first novel. Luckily, his eccentric aunt has just the place for her to stay free of charge,
When she arrives, she discovers that absent-minded Aunt Gertrude rented the house out to Matt Malone, a hunky American psychiatrist who is on a sabbatical to write and reconcile with his teenage son. While she tries to get him evicted, Aunt Gertrude lets her know that his rent has already been spent. With no money of her own to shell out for a hotel, she and Matt enter into an agreement to share accommodations. Soon their little abode is overrun by relatives, exes and friends. As Matt and Annie develop feelings for each other, she is torn between David, the doctor who rescued her from her self-imposed exile after her divorce, and Matt, who challenges her at every turn. And of course her ex Alex just keeps popping in on her wanting yet another chance. The plot was engaging; the execution was so so. It appears that Alliott has either never been to the US or knows no Americans - the dialogue attributed to the American characters is completely British. At one point, Matt uses the term "nutters," I doubt any American, let alone a doctor would use such a term. And let's face it - Annie never really had to make a choice - it was made for her to keep her conscience clear - what a cop out. This one started out with a bang and had me laughing, but towards the end, I was just ... disappointed.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
amusing yet deep look at modern day extended families,
This review is from: The Wedding Day: A Novel (Paperback)
Annabel "Annie" O'Harran has raised her daughter Flora by herself ever since she dumped her womanizing spouse Adam. She vowed never again would she fall for another man until she met kindhearted and patient (no pun intended) Dr. David Palmer. They are marrying at the end of the summer, but first she must finish writing her book. David persuades her to go use crazy Aunt Gertrude's vacant home in Cornwall where she will find peace and quiet.
The only problem with the hideaway is Aunt Gertrude. She has rented the place to visiting American hunk Matt Malone. He is only the first in what seems like an endless queue as Annie's sister Clare and her crew arrive to use the beach followed by Adam and his young girlfriend. However, Matt is the one causing Annie trouble because she wants him instead of David in her bed, but she also does not want to cheat on the kind doctor who has given her a reason to live again. Of course he is in a custody fight with his ex-wife Madeline over young Tod and cannot afford a diversion. This will either be the greatest or worst summer of her life. As the doorbell kept ringing at Annie's getaway, this reviewer kept thinking of the cabin scene in A Night at the Opera. That sets the tone of an amusing yet deep look at modern day extended families. Annie is the center that keeps the story line together while the ensemble cast feels like real people whose prime role is enhancing the heroine (some might say harassing her). Fans of contemporary character studies will enjoy this detoured trek towards the altar. Harriet Klausner
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Fun but unrealistic,
This review is from: The Wedding Day: A Novel (Paperback)
I had a lot of fun reading this, but 2 whoppers stopped me in my tracks. May I just say, without spoiling the plot, that (1) no one just finishing his thesis would be appointed head of a department of a university hospital and (2) there is no desert in Nicaragua!
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